Review
"The Chiropractor's Guide to Marketing and Advertising"
Presented by -- Peter Johnson
Six audio cassettes
See pages XX, part# A-617 for ordering information
For several years I've practiced in rather remote areas. Once in a
log cabin in the woods of Vermont and most recently in a
180-year-old farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, also in Vermont.
It often seemed that I saw more cows than people. Don't get me
wrong -- I loved the country life and will always have wonderful
memories of the countryside and the people it cradled in the
wrinkles of its landscape.
One thing, however, was always missing -- accessible professional
stimulation. Sure -- there were meetings of the state association
and once a year a speaker of some renown would lecture at the
state convention, but these were usually annual events and I wanted
more than that.
Unlike some of the more populous states, educational seminars of
any consequence were rare occurrences. This was hard on me, for I
thrive on the stimulus provided by these professional contacts.
Fortunately, the wonders of the modern age can bring some of the
most important speakers into your home. No longer is it necessary
for chiropractors to feel professionally isolated by the remote
location of their practice. Now -- with the pressure of but one
finger upon the right button, some of the finest and most important
speakers can speak directly to you via audio tape or be seen on
your television set. And -- they can be heard and seen over and
over until all the information given is well and completely
received.
If there's one great lack within chiropractic, it's our apparent
lack of business savvy. This fact is forcefully demonstrated by
the plethora of practice management companies that seem almost
indigenous to the profession. For some reason, we go through all
these years of schooling only to graduate as chiropractic physicians
prepared to serve only the patient and not the security of
ourselves and our families. The result has been the outgrowth of
all manner of companies trying to fulfill the perceived need to
develop business and merchandising skills.
Unfortunately, the need has been too frequently abused by some greedy
entrepreneurs interested only in instilling their gimmick-laden
concepts upon those who thirst for financial success.
This situation shouldn't -- and doesn't -- have to be tolerated.
There are increasing numbers of individuals and companies who are
finding it possible and preferable to ethically legitimize our
efforts at obtaining professional financial stability.
One of these efforts is packaged in six audiotapes presented by the
marketing consultant, Peter Johnson.
The tapes aren't "slick" -- and this is one of the many positive
aspects of this presentation. By slick I mean that they lack the
so-called polish of a carefully orchestrated pitch. It's all quite
conversational -- as if he were talking directly to you. He'll
stutter, correct himself and seemingly construct and reconstruct
concepts right before your ears. It's refreshing and informative.
Apparently the program was taped at a recent seminar so that the
material is up-to-date, concise, and meant for both cogitation and
note-taking. Again -- this is what make tapes so useful. The
speaker is at the command of your finger on the replay button so
that the listener or viewer may review important material until
satisfied that it will be understood and remembered.
Johnson's presentation is divided into six general areas:
- Introduction to Marketing and Advertising
- Designing Your Marketing Plan
3. Public Relations -- What Is It and How to Use It
4. How to Use Advertising -- Yellow Pages
5. Advertising -- Print, Radio, T.V., Mailings
6. Internal Marketing -- the Gold Mine for Patients.
Maybe it's just me. Maybe I've just changed a bit over the years.
Or maybe it's the entrepreneurs who've altered their approach.
Whatever the reason -- I'm listening and learning more. This
doesn't mean that I subscribe to every syllable of every speaker,
but people like Johnson have a great deal of important information
to impart to the profession and we should listen, learn and use
those parts we feel have propriety and are germane to our specific
needs.
"The Chiropractor's Guide to Marketing and Advertising" of Peter
Johnson delivers what its title specifies. Nothing more, but
certainly nothing less, and for this reason alone should be
purchased. There are a lot of excellent presentations on marketing
and advertising being produced lately and this is one of the best.
RHT
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